On average about a quarter of motorcycle fatalities every year happen on rural roads often on a corner where the road changes direction.
This 5 minute video features a police advanced motorcyclist who shares some of his experiences to help riders plan for what you can see, what you can’t see or realistically expect to happen. The video looks at limit points, what they are and why they are important to help riders tackle left, right and a series of corners on a rural road.
The short video sequence will visually highlight the skills necessary and the principals, which should be adopted to safely negotiate bends.
CyprusDriving and RoSPA Advanced / Defensive driver training is based on the UK police driver’s handbook ‘Roadcraft: The Essential Police Driver’s Handbook’.
This system of advanced driving is suitable for any advanced driver training but in particular Cyprus.
We drive on the left, as in the UK, and the laws in general are the same or based on similar principles, so it lends itself to similar training methods.
Any form of advanced driver training is advantageous to not only the driver for their own benefit but to the population at large.
These pages contain information on advanced / defensive driving skills and techniques.
Some material to assist you to improve your driving. Roadcraft: The Essential Police Driver’s Handbook can be bought from sites on the internet including here.
If you wish to consider an advanced driving DVD you might like to look at this video on YouTube. Chris Gilbert was one of the instructors in the original Roadcraft DVD.
Do not drive at speed unless you are competent and it is safe to do so.
Be familiar with the controls and the handling characteristics of your vehicle – use the controls smoothly.
High speed driving requires maximum alertness. If you cannot achieve a high level of attentiveness because of fatigue or some other cause, reduce your speed.
Always drive so you can stop on your own side of the road within the distance you can see to be clear, by day or night.
If you double your speed you quadruple your braking distance.
Put into practice the skills developed. They are designed to maximize safety.
Be aware of the onset of fatigue and take the appropriate action. Open a window or stop and take a break.
No emergency is so great that it justifies an accident. It is far better to arrive late than not at all.
To avoid having to speed and to reduce stress, plan to leave for your journey ten minutes earlier. This will allow you to arrive on time, safely and in a better condition.
The effects of natural forces acting on a vehicle when accelerating and braking.
Under acceleration.
The weight is transferred to the rear of the vehicle. The rear tyres gain grip. The front becomes lighter. The front tyres loose grip.
A vehicle is at its most stable
When travelling in a straight line with the engine just driving the wheels.
Under braking.
The weight is transferred to the front of the vehicle. The front tyres gain grip. The rear becomes lighter. The rear tyres loose grip. A rear wheel drive car under acceleration has an advantage because the tyres have more grip which assists acceleration.
A front wheel drive vehicle therefore is at a disadvantage as the front tyres loose grip.
Signals form an integral part of your overall driving plan that is the use and provision of information. Road position, speed and course are also signals of possible intention. With time you will become adept at predicting these signals in other road users, and using them to reinforce your own.
Advanced drivers only give a signal when another road user might benefit.
Indicators:
If you decide a signal is appropriate, follow the Highway Code recommendation of Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre.
If there is a possibility of confusion, clarify with an arm signal.
Do not accept the signal of another road user as absolute proof of their intention. Look for supporting evidence such as slowing down and road position.
Be sure to cancel your signal once the manoeuvre is complete.
Horn:
Should be used for the benefit of other road users when you feel they may not have noticed you.
It is not to be used as a form of rebuke or sign of annoyance!
Hazard Warning Lights:
Only use these to tell other drivers you have stopped on the carriageway. They are not a licence to park on restricted areas! Nor are they to be used while driving in reduced visibility. A common occurrence in Cyprus.
Brakelights:
Are used to indicate slowing down or stopping.
Remember: Mirror – Signal – Manoeuvre.
Headlights:
Are only used to inform other drivers of your presence.
Correct use of the five phases of the system will give you a safe and methodical approach to hazards.
What is a Hazard?
Basically, anything which is potentially dangerous. Use your skills to recognize a hazard, plan for it and take the appropriate action.
The Three main categories of Hazard are:
Physical features such as junctions, roundabouts and bends.
The position or movement of other road users.
Problems arising from variations in the road surface, weather and visibility.
Additional Roadside Hazards:
Pedestrians – especially children.
Parked vehicles – and their occupants.
Pedal cycles – once again, especially children.
Concealed junctions.
For hazards on the near side it may be more appropriate to steer a course closer to the crown of the road. This would have the benefits of (a) giving you a better view, (b) providing more space to manoeuvre should it be necessary, and (c) allow you to dominate your road position and convey your intentions to other road users.
However, the principle of safety should never be sacrificed for position!
M atch your vehicles speed and direction to the traffic.
O bserve accurately.
R isks identified and kept to a minimum.
A ttention kept to a high level.
Awareness of road and traffic situations.
L imitations, know yours and the vehicles.
S kilful use of the vehicle controls.
Observation
The foundation of good driving is the ability to use sight, hearing and even smell to gain information about driving conditions.
Open your eyes:-
Most people only look at what is going on directly in front of them. Look in the distance as far as you can see then check out the middle distance before returning to the foreground. Check the sides and rear of the vehicle to build a bigger picture of all that is happening about you. Use all your mirrors and turn your head (it wont fall off!).
Look for other clues to give you an advanced warning of hazards. Reflections in shop windows, tree lines, eye contact with other drivers, cross views and other road users position, speed etc are just some of the aids available to you.
Know and read road signs. These will give you an advance warning of hazards that you can build into your driving plan.
All about driving in Cyprus
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